Nagano elementary school students interact with riders of the professional bicycle team “Sparkle Oita” (2/27)

Conveying the appeal of bicycles to Hioki Elementary School children

Today (Monday, February 27), a bicycle class was held at Hioki Elementary School in Nagato City by the riders of the professional bicycle team "Sparkle Oita. The two instructors were Sakuya Kuroeda and Kota Sumiyoshi, and the class was attended by 24 sixth graders from Hioki Elementary School.

Sakiya Kuroeda (left) and Kota Sumiyoshi (right) were also guests at the Nagato Criterium Sprint held on Sunday, February 26.

The first half of the day was lecture time, which included a quiz on bicycles and an introduction to professional competitions.

Children answering the "Bicycle Quiz

The participants were instructed on "how to ride safely and correctly" directly by professional riders, with demonstrations and video commentary.

In the latter half of the day, the children actually rode their bicycles on the slalom course under the guidance of the riders. The children also competed against each other in a "slow-riding race" to see how slowly they could ride without getting on their feet.

In the slow-riding race, the riders offered to give away their bicycles if they won, and the children were very excited.

Kuroeda won the race despite a last-minute handicap at the request of the children. Gut-paws were unintentionally popped out.

During the Q&A session at the end, there were questions about the prize money for the race and in-depth discussions about how the athletes got into the professional world, and we learned about the rigors of the professional world and the appeal of bicycling itself.

A child asks a question to the player

The children, who were nervous at first, were all smiles by the end, and it was an enjoyable bicycle class.

Related Links

Sparkle Oita (Sparkle Oita official website
・ Nanavi cycling page